mokinley



Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,400

C.' W. MCKINLEY Dec. 6, 1927.

C. W. MCKINLEY FILTER Filed March ll, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,400

C. W. MGKINLEY FILTER Filed March 1l. 1926 4 Sheets-Sheetl 3 ,x @Hoz new l Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,400

c. w. MCKINLEY FILTER Filed March 11, 1926 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 gmc/nto@ @Roumain Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED vSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES W. MCKINLEY, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO A C SIARK PLUG COM- PANY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN, A COMPANY OF MICHIGAN.

FILTER.

Application led March 11, 1926. Serial No. 93,944.

The invention relates to devices for separating solids from fluids and, While obviously of more general application, has been especially designed for, and will be herein described as applied to, the removal of impurities from lubricants. In the operation of mechanism in which a body of 011 1s maintained in a storage space, as, for eX- ample in the crank case of an internal combustion engine, from which the oil is supplied to various parts to be lubricated, it is desirable to provide means whereby a portion, at least, of the circulating oil may be continuously passed through a filtering device. The oil may be thereby maintained in a relatively purer condition, its ethciency as a lubricant enhanced and removal or renewal of the body of oil rendered necessary much less frequently.

The invention contemplates, therefore, and has as one of its objects, the provision of a filtering device in which are combined the advantages of compactness, efficiency, long life, simplicity of construction, and cheapness. The device furthermore, because of itsI portability and ease 0f installation and repair` its capability of operation for long periods without attention, and its adaptabilityfor production in large quantities `at relatively low cost, is peculiarly fitted for use in connection with automobile power plants and in similar situations when like qualities are desired. More specifically, the invention aims to afford a great area of effective filtering medium Within a small space and with the minimum of material as Well as novel means for supporting and housing the filtering medium and to provide means for controlling the flow of material to the filter in accordance with the condition of the filtering medium.

.Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 represents a vertical section through one form of structure embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View with parts in section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of a filtering element or bag;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of-Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a cover forming part of a cage or holder for the filtering medium Fig. T is an elevation and Fig. 8 a plan view of a form of filter unit.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, I provide a filtering container 10 of pervious material, such, for example, as cloth of suitable strength and fineness of mesh. This container is therefore of bag-like character and Will be hereinafter designated as a filter bag. This bag may be variously modified in details Within the scope of the invention, but in the form illustrated, which is preferred because of its efficiency in operation and convenience of manufacture, it is constituted of a single sheet of fabric, folded upon itself as at 11, and stitched or seWed along the ends at 12, 12', and the edge at 13. The seams may be reinforced at their ends by additional stitching as at 14. An opening 15 is left at any convenient point along the periphery of the bag, preferably adjacent to one corner and at a position indicated in the drawing as the upper edge. This opening provides an entrance to the bag and may communicate with any suitable device for supplying tothe interior of the bag the material to be filtered.

Intermediate of the edges, the Walls of the bag are brought into juxtaposition in such manner as to provide a plurality of pockets or passages extending Alongitudinally of the bag. This may be conveniently accomplished by` applying a row or rows of stitches, as at 16, securing the Walls of the bag together through the major portion of the length of the bag. The securing means terminates, however, as indicated at 17, at points spaced from the seam 12. There is thus formed a conduit or header 18, extending from the opening 15 entirely across the bag, and a plurality of pockets or filtering passages 19, leading from the header 18 andy terminating at the opposite end of the bag at the seam 12.

The bag thus constituted is then arranged in a series of superposed layers, as by roll` ing it into the form of a spiral, the header 18 and opening 15 being preferably at the center. The Walls of the bag varound t-he opening 15 are secured over the discharge end of a suitable supply fitting 20, (Fig. 1) as by a wire 21 clamping `the mouth of the bag' in a groove in the htting. vThe bag is protein y rolled rather tightly in the spiral, as it has been tound that the length ot serviceis thereby improved.

lily reference to l, it will be understood that when n bag,` :toii'mcd above described is arranged iu superposed layers, as by 'foldingv or rolling in the direction ot the' passages 19, and fluid .under pressure is supe plied to the interior ot thebag', the tiuid will 'tion' into the conduits or passages 19 and distend the 1walls ofi the` saine so that they as sini'ie, in cross-section, a somewhat elliptical or diamond.shape '.lhese superposed conduits .vill obviously contact with eachother, and when distendcd will provide, betiveen one series ot conduits and the one next above or beloiv, a passage 23 which ivili parallel the conduits l andivill open at one end to Le) the outeide of the bag; assembly. The material to be i'iltered *which pa` through the Walls or" the conduits l) into the passages Q3 finds tree exit along these passages to the space surrounding the bag.

The iilter ba assembly may be supported or suspended, iu any suitable receptacle into which the Aiiltered material is to be delivered. Since the tilter as herein disclosed espe* cially des ,fined tor use in 'filtering` the lubri* catingi; oil ot an automobile povver plant l have illustrated the -recepttwle as ot torni suitable for such J comprises, as

use. .e shown, cylindrical can having a side Wall and an end or bottoni` wall 25 which may be ksean'ied together at 27 in the manner usual in making sheet metal Ware. Straps E28 may be clamped about the can by bolts E29. the ends 30 ot the straps extendingI outwardly to serve as attaching' means whereby the can a d associated parts may be mounted upon a dash or other available base. The side vfall otthe can at the end opposite the wall 26, indicated in the drawing as the top or upper end, is hanged outwardly `at 3l to provide a for cover plate rlhe cover plate is removable to permit the inser tion or removal ot the filter assembly and is secured to 'the can as by liiolts a gasket 34 being positioned between cover and, can. i

The cover 32 serves as a support for the filter assembly Which is positioned Within the can and comprises a cage 35 ot perforated or 'toraminous material, as Wire net-- ting, Within uf'hich the tilter body or bag l0 is retained. The top and bottom of the cage are closed by end heads 3G, .537, respectively, which may be identical and each ot Which is provided with a series of slots 38 to permit free exitoit :fluid troni the cage. The end heads are flanged, as 39, to tit over the ends of the cylindrical,screen Wall and the parts are secured together 'by threaded rods or bolts 4i() extending' through square apertures in the heads, the upper ends ot the bolts being; squared to tit' the apertures in head 36. The nuts lll on these rods may be locked by a. metal strip ft2, having; holes through which the bolts extend and bent- `doWnWardly at its ends i3 to prevent the cover 32 and the shoulder t6 on the fitting.

rllhe filter assembly` 1s thus secured rigidly to the cover 3Q and may be inserted Ainto the can or removed therefrom a Whole.

The cover 32 also serves as a support ttor the devices ivh'ereby supply ot liquid to the filter and delii'fery therefrom are controlled. These comprise abody having' vertical inlet and outlet passages 5l, and horizontal passages, 53, 5l. The passage 5B co1nmunicates With inl-et passage 5l and is threaded to; receive a pipe connection leading from a pump or other suitable source of material. to be filtered. Passage 54 communi- Cates through channel with outlet passage 52, for normal delivery trom the filter, and, through valve controlled channel 57, ivith passage l5l tor by-passing' the tilt-er under certain conditions. The passage 54s is also screivthreaded to receive pipe connection 58 leading to the delivery point for the oil or other material beine' filtered.

rlhe'sleeve nut 45, which fits closely the passage 5l, is formed with an annular groove 60 communicating' `through radial holes 6l With the hollow interior of the nut, which is connected, in turn, to the interior of the filter container l0 by the bore 62 ot inlet tting' Q0. Material to be filtered is therefore introduced. normally through pipe connection 55, passage 53, channel 60, holes (il, and. the internal bores ot nut l5 and litting 2O vto the filter body or han'.

. Discharge Jfrom the interior ot the filter receptacle or can `occurs normally through the tubular outlet fitting' hl which extends through a hole in the cover plate 32 nearthe periphery thereof. This fitting' has a Wrench head on the lower end engaging the under side of the coverplate, and the upper end is exteriorly threaded. A sleeve (le interiorly threaded at both ends, engages at its loiver end with the threads on fitting' '63. The sleeve is also provided with an exterior shoulder seating on the annular ledgeh in the passage 52. B v rotating' the titting 63, the fitting' and sleeve may be `secured together and to the cover and at the saine time the body 50 is clamped to the cover. The

sleeve nut lo, by engagement ot its hea d with the upper 'side o't-body 50, also serves to clamp the body to the cover. The body 50 and its associated parts are therefore rigidly mounted upon the cover as a single assembly.

An annular space 67 is provided between sleeve 64 and the walls of passage k52 which communicates with the interior of the sleeve through holes 68 in the walls of the sleeve. The upper end of fitting 63 is formed as a Y Valve seat for a ball check valve 69. Filtered material flowing from the filter will therefore pass normally through fitting 63, past valve 69 through holes 68 and space 67 to passage 56 and thence to the delivery pipe.

The upper end of passage 52 will, of course,

be closed in any suitable manner, as by cap nut 7 0 engaging the upper threads of sleeve 64. VThis nut may carry a pin 71 to restrict the movement of valve 69.

The opening 57, leading from annular channel 60 to passage 54, is formed with a valve seat t0 receive the ball valve 7 5 opening toward the passage 54 and held to its seatv by a spring 76. The spring may be adjusted by a sleeve 77 engaging screw threads on the inner surface of passage 54. The

' pressure exerted on the valve by the spring will be sufficient to prevent the opening of A the valve under the normal pressure required for the circulation of the liquid. However, should the filter body become clogged, or for any other reason the flow through the filter be hindered so as to cause a rise of pressure on the inlet side to a point predetermined by the adjustment of spring 76, then the walls of the fitting through which communication is afforded between the-bore of f the fittting and an annular space 81 at the lower end of passage 52. The space 81 communicates with the interior of a hollow boss 82 the outer end of which is closed by a valve casing 83 iu screwthreaded engagement with the internal walls of the boss. The interior of' the sleeve is also screwthreaded to engage with the valve plug 84. This plug is provided with a central bore 85 the inner end of which opens to the periphery of the plug through radial holes 86. A handle 87 is secured to the valve plug to facilitate manual operation. By rotation of this plug to the position shown in Jfull lines in the drawing the openingl 86 is placed in communication with the space 81 and a portion of the liquid flowing through the bore of fittting 63 is permitted to escape through holes 80, space 81, hole 86 and bore 85 to the outside` thus indicating that liquid is being forced through the filter. If, however, the bypass valve 75 is open vand noliqiiid is passing through the filter, the check valve 69 will be in engagement with its seat and no flow will take place from the test cock. Upon com-- pletion of' the test the valve plug may be rotated in a direction to move it outwardly, as to the dotted line position of the handle shown in the drawing.' The hole 86 may be thus brought out of' registry with the space inward ofthe valve sleeve 83 and the head of' the valve plug, which is, as Shown, slightly enlarged, may be firmly seated against the inner end of the valve sleeve. Any leakage, or the unintentional removal of' the valve plug, is thus prevented.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have shown a `form oi filter unit which presents especial advantages in the way of' compactnessand ease of manufacture and assembly, either for origi nal installation or for replacement. This unit comprises the end heads 136, 137, which are or may be identical and are similarin general to the end heads 36, 37, Jreviously described. `The cvlindrical screenv member 35 has its ends positioned within the end heads and serves to confine the filter bag 1() and to space the heads apart.In orderV t'o holdthe heads and screen in assembled relation I provide two or more metal straps 140, extending longitudinally of the screen 35. The upper and lower ends of these straps are passed through slots 141 in the heads 136 and 137 respectively and are bent over on the outside to form ltongues 142. y

The filter bag when rolled up spirally forms a cylindrical roll which is preferably of' such dimensions as to fit neatly within the screen and to extendv slightly beyond the ends thereof. Hence the roll must be somewhat compressed endwise kin `order to assemble the end heads upon the screen. The bag itself', therefore, exerts some pressure tending to spread the ends apart. The bag is connected at its center to the inlet iitting 2O which extends through the central aperture of the head 136 as in the construction previously described. A split washer 143 is positioned in av groove in the neck 45 of fitting 20 and serves to prevent inward movement of the fitting 20.

The assembly comprising the cage with the bag therein constitutes a self-contained unit particularly adapted for manufacture and sale as such and capable of being installed in a can or in any position of use without special skill or tools. The provision of this unit enables an old filter bag to be replaced by a new one with very little expense or trouble. The other parts of the filter are not liable to derangement or injury, but, owing to the extremely simple manner of assembly, may be readily replaced if desired.

Vhen used in connection with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, as, for example, on an automobile, the

filter `may be interposedin one of the conduit-s leading from the oil pump so that the oil fiowing to one bearing or set of bearings, or if desired, allot `the oil from the pump, will be supplied to the filter inlet. The bypass valve will be adjusted to open at a pres-` sure above that normally required to force the oil through the filter and below the maximum at which the pump is capable of deliv- Should the filter, therefore, for` ering oil. any reason afford-to the flow of 4oil a resistance greater than. that for which the by pass valve provides, the latter at once opens thus preventing the interruption of supply to the lubricated devices.

Various changes in details may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of kthe invention and therefore I do not Wish; to be limited to the specific structure herein disclosed except as required by the language of the appended claims in view of the prior art.

I claim:

1.1 A1 filtering device comprising a pervious bag having its Walls j oined intermediate of the edges to provide va plurality of conduits leading `from the mouth of the bag Vand closed at the ends remote from the mouth.

2. Structure as in claim 1, the bag having portions `thereof superposed to reduce the spaeerequired for its reception.

3. Structure as kin claim l, the bag being rolled spirally with the mouth at the center of the rollin such manner that the conduits having `its Walls joined to form a plurality of passages leading from the mouth of the bag, the bag being rolled so that the passages constitute spiral conduits,v theA conduits, Whew distended by pressure ot' fluid Within the bag,l forming therebetween spiral passages on the exterior ot' the bag for escape ot il tered fluid.

7. A filtering device comprising pervious bag-like filtering means arranged in superosed la 7ers the Walls of said means havin'` secured together at intervals intermediate of its edges and having an inlet opening ad jacent to one corner, said bag beingrolled into spiral form with the inlet opening at the center of the spiral, means secured to said bag at the Vinletopening for supplying liquid. thereto, and a holder for said bag.`

l1. A filtering unit comprising a spirally Wound bag, aninlet fitting communicating with the interior of the bag through an opening; adjacent the center of the spiral, and a holder having fend heads and perforated side Wallssuitably secured `together and in which said bagis positioned, said fitting extending outwardly through one of said heads.

12..Structure as set forth in claim 1l, said yholder comprising end caps and a wire screen side Wall member fit-tingwithin said end caps.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES W. MGKINLEY. 

